An Anthology of Middle-Earth by tinni

Flute and Harp

A poem about Ecthelion and Glorfindel reunion in Aman.

He played upon his silver flute
A tune both sad and filled with hope
Upon the shores of Aman he sat
Facing the sun as she climbed the heights

In the midst of jewel scattered sand he waited [i]
For the return of his friend, dearly beloved
From distant shores he is to come
Golden hair blazing in the light of the sun

Then the harp of gold will sing anew
With the flute of silver, songs old and new
So the Lord of Fountain played his tune
Blessed Flower, still hidden from his view [ii]

Lo! the sun revealed a white ship with golden oars [iii]
But the piper's eyes were caught by one alone [iv]
The one who stood upon the bow of the ship
With eager eyes that searched out his

At last they met upon the blessed shores
Their long parting for greater good [v]
The harp and flute burst into song
The Golden Flower in the Fountain swam

Thus united Glorfindel of the house of the Golden Flower
With Ecthelion of the house of the Fountain
Captains of Gondolin that rests on the ocean floor
Swearing that they would not part, ever more

Chapter End Notes

[i] The Teleri were said to have scattered the jewels the Noldor gave them upon the shores of Aman. Page 61 The Silmarillion

[ii] Due to his self sacrifice when fighting with the Balrog Glorfindel was granted Maia like powers

[iii] I don't know if elven ships had oars, but it is a distinct possibility since the sea near Aman is said to be windless. Page 61 The Silmarillion

[iv] I am well aware that a flute is not a pipe and thus a flute player is not a piper, however "But the flute player's eyes were caught by one alone" just doesn't work

[v] I think it's in The History of Middle Earth that it is said that Glorfindel was sent by Manwë himself in the Second Age to aid Elrond when things got really hairy with Sauron